FDA launches foodborne illness response network

The Food and Drug Administration has launched a new foodborne illness outbreak response network aimed at rapidly reacting to cases involving humans and animals.

The FDA Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network, comprised of a team of epidemiologists, veterinarians, microbiologists, environmental health specialists and other emergency officials, will coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state public health and agriculture agencies in cases of human and animal foodborne illness outbreaks.

Working as a centralized staff in a single location, the network will aid the FDA's field emergency response coordinators in foodborne illness investigations and analyses.

"The CORE Network builds on the best practices FDA has already implemented in its outbreak response efforts," said Mike Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner of foods.